Contax 645 AF

First medium format from Contax can be set for single AF with lock or continues AF. Shutter speeds range from 8-1/4000 sec or 32-1/4000 sec in auto, plus bulb. Metering modes include Centerweighted and spot with AE lock. The 645 AF can be set in aperture priority, shutter priority, and manual modes. ISO range is 6-6400. Exposure compensation is +/-2 stops and can be set in 1/3 increments. Viewfinder shows, shutter speeds, f-stops, flash ready, metering modes, frame counter, exposure compensation, end of film indicator, analog scale, and focus display. Both 120 and 220 films can be used and film transport is automatic to first frame. You can set the camera for single or continuous advance. Other features include autobracketing, TTL flash, self timer, depth-of-field preview, multiple exposures, mirror lockup, diopter correction, data imprinting of shutter speeds, f-stops, exposure compensation, exposure modes, lens and film type. Contax offers six autofocus lenses.

The CONTAX 645 is a complete auto focus medium format system that has been designed to deliver the highest quality photographic results. The CONTAX 645 lens system is composed of six outstanding Carl Zeiss T* Auto Focus lenses including the Distagon T* 35mm f3.5 (21mm lens in 35mm), Distagon T* 45mm f2.8 (28mm lens in 35mm), Planar T* 80mm f2 (50mm lens in 35mm), Apo-Makro Planar T* 120mm f4 (75mm lens in 35mm), Sonnar T* 140mm f2.8 (87mm in 35mm), Sonnar T* 210mm f4 (131mm lens in 35mm).

Auto focusing on the CONTAX 645 is a phase difference detection (passive) system. The user can select either Single Auto Focus or Continuous Auto Focus according to the needs of the photographer. A seamless transition from AF to manual focus is accomplished by the photographer simply taking control of the lens. When the photographer takes over the focusing system by beginning to focus, the AF system releases immediately transferring control to the user. There is no AF/MF switch required on the CONTAX 645. The CONTAX 645 is the most advanced medium format body ever developed to match the high quality of Carl Zeiss T* optics.

A new concept in internal camera control has been implemented in the CONTAX 645. There is a micro-processor on-board each major system component for solid-state internal communication over a distributed computer network. No mechanical linkages are present. This allows accurate and precisely adjustable communication between all system components at the speed of an electron.

The CONTAX 645 incorporates a motor drive which offers the fastest film advance system available in the medium format industry. The 2.5 frames per second drive is built-in and is standard equipment on the CONTAX 645. The camera also provides interchangeable backs with 16 exposures on each roll of 120 film and 33 frames on a roll of 220. Auto advance to the first frame is standard, as is mid-roll advance to end of roll. CONTAX has also applied its industry leading technology to integrate a Real Time Vacuum system that pulls the film down to the pressure plate before every exposure. This is a system pioneered and proven effective in the CONTAX RTS III. This system can operate because there is no paper backing interfering on 220 film.

Data Back imprinting is incorporated into both the 120 and 220 film backs. This system offers imprinting of f-stop, shutter speed, exposure compensation, exposure mode and lens information.

Also included as standard equipment is a detachable eye-level AE Prism that provides bright and even illumination over the entire screen. The AE functions include Aperture Priority (AV), Shutter priority (TV) and Manual metering. These AE functions are also extended to use on the optional waist-level finder, since the SPD exposure sensor is located in the camera body. The AE Prism also includes spot metering, center-weighted average metering and the famous TTL Pre-Flash Metering system that was originally introduced on the CONTAX RTS III. Automatic Bracketing Control (A.B.C.) is included with a choice of 0.5 or 1.0 EV selection. The user can select from three bright, interchangeable focusing screens. The standard screen supplied with the CONTAX 645 is an unencumbered matte type screen. Also available is the microprism collar surrounding a split image screen as well as a grid screen. Each finder provides a 95% field of view. A built-in diopter selector offers viewfinder diopters from -2d to , and this system is extendible with use of the FM diopters found in the 35mm camera accessories.

Viewfinder information is complete in the CONTAX 645. Aperture display, f-stop, exposure warning, flash indication (including pre-flash TTL metering), exposure compensation ( 2 EV), exposure counter and AF confirmation are all visible in the viewfinder.

Shutters are key to the success of any medium format camera. They are necessarily large and often slow. CONTAX changes all that by offering the fastest medium format focal plane shutter in the world at 1/4000 second top shutter speed and the fastest X sync at 1/125 second. This shutter out-performs many 35mm cameras. The CONTAX 645 is also lens/shutter capable. The photographer can look forward to introductions soon of several lens/shutter lenses for the CONTAX 645.

The TTL flash system is the same as the Extended TLA Flash system as used on the CONTAX RX, AX and Aria. That is, the CONTAX 645 offers the five-pin flash connection that mates with the CONTAX TLA360 flash. This system allows flash ratios to be set from the flash and it also displays the set f-stop on the flash LCD.

Specifications:

CONTAX 645 6x4.5 SLR Medium-Format Camera Outfit